News Release

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Medical Marijuana Clinic Robbery Suspect Arrested

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department Wilshire Area detectives have identified three people in connection with a robbery of a marijuana clinic in April of this year. All three suspects are currently in custody.

On April 11, 2009, at 11 pm, three Black male suspects, one of whom was armed with a gun, entered a medical marijuana facility in the 700 block of North La Brea Avenue and ordered everyone to the ground. The suspects then ransacked the business and took both cash and marijuana. During the robbery, one of the suspects, 26-year-old Eric Frierson of Long Beach, attempted to remove the video hard drive from the clinic’s security surveillance system and cut himself in the process. Investigators were able to collect blood evidence from his injury. Later, the blood sample was analyzed and yielded a DNA profile match with Frierson.

On Oct. 8, 2009, after detectives worked diligently to develop significant leads on the case, Frierson was charged with one count of robbery and booked at the Los Angeles County Men’s Central Jail. His bail has been set at $50,000.

Further investigation indentified Carl Washington and Rico Yoakum as the other two suspects in the clinic robbery, both currently in custody in the state of Oregon on separate robbery charges. Both suspects will be extradited to Los Angeles at which time the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office will file charges.

Investigators believe these three suspects are responsible for several marijuana clinic robberies throughout the Los Angeles Area.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call LAPD Wilshire Area Robbery detectives at 213-922-8266. During off-hours, call may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247). Callers may also text “Crimes” with a cell phone or log on to www.lapdonline.org and click on Web Tips. When using a cell phone, all messages should begin with “LAPD.” Tipsters may remain anonymous.